Science and Research

Through their living
collections, zoos and aquariums are uniquely placed to contribute to
conservation-related research. Zoos and aquariums may undertake research to
further their own as well as other institutions' aims (e.g. by collaborating with
universities). Research categories include studies in pure and applied
biological sciences (e.g. behaviour, genetics, diseases and reproduction), in
situ conservation research (e.g. socio-economic and field surveys) and research aimed at
developing other roles (e.g. visitor learning and marketing surveys).

Zoos and aquariums can
develop their research capacity by establishing research units within their
own organisation, by supporting research projects and by developing collaborative
partnerships with research institutions. In this regard, WAZA contributes by providing (financial) support for research aspects of the WAZA conservation projects. Zoos and aquariums can also support publications,
symposia and workshops for the dissemination of research results, which is how WAZA mainly contributes to research.

There is also a major
research facility among the affiliate members of WAZA, the IZW – Leibniz Institute for Zoo and
Wildlife Research in Berlin. This institute cooperates with
numerous WAZA members and undertakes research in various fields, including
evolutionary ecology, evolutionary genetics, wildlife diseases, reproduction
biology and reproduction management.